ID
8-509-1164
Name
Structural Collapse - Search Technician
Status
Published
Version
2.0
Updated
9/28/2021 3:54:59 PM
Original Release
12/11/2014
Last Major Release
09/28/2021
NQS Position
Resource Category
Search and Rescue
Primary Core Capability
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Structural Collapse Search Technician performs search in structural collapse incidents
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Structural Collapse Search Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2 PLUS Performs search in structural collapse incidents, including identifying hazards in a collapsed structure defined as Heavy and/or Medium consistently with the UN INSARAG Guideline and Methodology for US&R categories for structures
Type 2The Structural Collapse Search Technician is responsible for the following: 1. Performs search in structural collapse incidents, including identifying hazards in a collapsed structure defined as Light consistently with the United Nations (UN) International Search and Rescue Advisory Group’s (INSARAG) Guideline and Methodology for Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) categories for structures 2. Conducts thermal, optical, acoustical, and audio search 3. Requests rescue and evacuation and recovery resources as needed 4. Performs medical care to include Basic Life Support (BLS) 5. Reports to the Structural Collapse Search Team Leader, if applicable 6. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS), a specialized position within Structural Collapse Search Team General Functions 1. Deploys for up to 14 days, ready to deploy within 24 hours of notification, self-sustaining for 72 hours upon arrival, and works up to 12 hours per shift 2. Provides: a. Safety of self and team members and operations b. Medical care of self and team members and subjects c. Simple decontamination of self and team members d. Basic ground support capability for helicopter operations 3. Use of ground vehicles, water vehicles and aircraft for operations and support. 4. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure including those affected by disasters and terrorism; with compromised access to roadways, utilities, transportation, and limited availability of shelter, food, and water
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
TrainingNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2 PLUS: 1. National US&R Response System Orientation course or equivalent 2. National US&R Response System Technical Search Specialist Training or equivalent 3. National US&R Structural Collapse Technician Course or equivalent 4. FEMA/Department of Justice (DOJ) Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts training or equivalent Completion of the following awareness-level training: 1. Critical Incident Stress Management Training 2. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness Training (AWR160) or equivalent (to be refreshed every 5 years) 3. Annual Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness, per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (Q)(6)(i) or equivalent Completion of a NFPA, ASTM or equivalent Structural Collapse SAR training program as validated by the AHJ that meets the experience specific to a Structural Collapse Search Technician and that includes but is not limited to Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ FEMA Structural Collapse Technician Course or equivalent
Type 2Completion of the following courses: 1. IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. IS-809: Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 – Search and Rescue 6. Awareness training consistent with operations level National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents in the following areas: a. Confined space rescue operations b. Water rescue operations c. Structural collapse operations Completion of the following capability-based training: 1. Annual Bloodborne Pathogens per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Code of Federal Regulations) or equivalent and Airborne Pathogens Training 2. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 and/or 1910.134(f) Respiratory Protection including the successful completion of a quantitative respiratory protection fit test and the associated currency requirements with the exception of all incident structural searches that require 29 CFR 1910.120 (q)(6)(ii) and annual refresher training or equivalent, as applicable 3. Use, care, inspection and maintenance of all related personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, devices and equipment specific to this position and sub-specialties 4. Current certification in basic first aid for first responders or equivalent to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) 5. Completion of a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), ASTM International (ASTM) or equivalent Structural Collapse Search and Rescue (SAR) training program or as verified by the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) meeting the following position-specific key skills and aptitudes: a. SAR Hazard Awareness, Navigation and Survival training or equivalent b. OSHA Duties of the Entrant per 29 CFR 1910.146 6. FEMA Global Positioning System (GPS) awareness course or equivalent 7. Confined space rescue and fall protection training in accordance with OSHA regulations or equivalent
ExperienceKSAs are addressed in NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications and NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): 1. Ability to function at the Technician level 2. Ability to perform thermal, optical, acoustical, and audio search 3. Ability to identify and apply the role of the Structural Collapse Search Technician within the incident management structure 4. Knowledge of structural collapse search and associated hazards, including recognition of the various types of building and structural collapses and their impact 5. Understanding of search procedures in the building/structural collapse environment during day and night operations 6. Ability to identify and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) 7. Ability to carry out the following: a. Technical rescue operations b. General standards of technical rescue c. Rope rescue d. Structural collapse search and rescue e. Confined space search and rescue f. Machinery rescue g. Trench and excavation search and rescue 8. Knowledge of the capabilities of canine search 9. Technical rescue skills: a. General guidelines outlined in NFPA 1670 or equivalent b. Rope rescue awareness outlined in NFPA 1670 or equivalent c. Trench rescue awareness outlined in NFPA 1670 or equivalent d. Proficiency as per duties of the entrant within 29 CFR 1910.146 10. Additional recommended Rope Rescue Skills a. Understanding of safety considerations during rope rescue operations b. Understanding of characteristics of life safety rope and webbing c. Ability to apply rope rescue hardware specific to a lowering operation d. Ability to application of rope rescue hardware and software specific to a belay line e. Ability to assemble and apply a Class III harness f. Ability to assemble and apply a “hasty harness” g. Ability to tie a simple figure eight knot h. Ability to tie a figure eight follow-through knot i. Ability to tie an overhand follow-through with webbing j. Ability to attach a prusik loop to a rope k. Familiarity with anchor systems l. Familiarity with raising and lowering systems m. Demonstrated proficiency in attaching oneself to and participating in a raising or lowering system n. Demonstrated proficiency in descending and ascending a fixed line, low angle Experience: 1. Experience that demonstrates scene management and dynamic assessment of risk 2. Experience with relevant building/structural collapses, confined space and rope rescue techniques 3. Experience with identifying hazards, including potential operating environments 4. Experience as a NIMS Typed Type 4 Fire Officer 5. Completion of the Structural Collapse Search Technician Position Task Book(PTB) or equivalent that validates and verifies (by AHJ) the successful completion of all skills, and demonstrated ability to perform skills in exercises and/or actual incident operations
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Arduous 2. Minimum physical fitness and swimming standards, Job Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) set by AHJ 3. NFPA 1582 Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, or equivalent minimum medical fitness standards determined by the AHJ 4. Maintains immunizations as outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control’s most current recommended adult immunization schedule for the United States of America
CurrencyThe providing entity must carry out and use any background checks as specified by applicable law. This may or may not include the following: background check currency within twelve months; sex offender registry check; and a local, state and national based criminal history.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Annual refresher of related rescue skills and abilities in structural collapse environments 2. Operational incident experience and/or participation in exercises, drills, or simulations within three years from the time approved by the AHJ to serve as a Structural Collapse Search Technician 3. Background checks as permitted and/or required by applicable law 4. Completion of a quantitative respiratory protection fit test per 29 CFR 1910.134
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsThe AHJ determines the types of emergency medical certifications needed to meet the minimum criteria, including: first aid, CPR, and Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS). The AHJ determines any other additional certifications requirements in accordance with NFPA and ASTM search and rescue standards, or equivalent.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Certification and/or recertification as required by the AHJ in order to perform medical care including Basic Life Support (BLS) 2. Certification or documentation indicating completion of training outlined above (Structural Collapse Search Technician) 3. Certification or completion of structural collapse, confined space, and high and low angle training that relates to the job standards
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
Operations in search and rescue environments might be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), per ASTM F2890 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel. The requesting authority must consider the need for additional recognized capability or endorsements.
1452
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509-4: Fire Officer
FEMA, NIMS 508-8: Structural Collapse Rescue Team
FEMA, NIMS 508-8: Structural Collapse Search Team
FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Structural Collapse Rescue Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Structural Collapse Rescue Technician
FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Structural Collapse Search Team Leader
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS), November 2017
FEMA, National US&R Response System, Structural Collapse Technician Course – Student Manual, October 2012
United Nations (UN) International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), Guidelines and Methodology, April 2012
American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) F-2890 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, latest edition adopted
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, latest edition adopted
NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, latest edition adopted
NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, latest edition adopted
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Annual Bloodborne Pathogens